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So finally last week I came back from my recent workshop/trip in Patagonia. I was there kind of late this year as I normally go there beginning to mid April (the best time for foliage change), but this year (due to a very late Easter) I was there last week of April and first week of May. The weather didn't cooperate at all, and most days were overcast and/or constantly raining. A couple of weeks would've made a huge difference, I bet. This was my 5th time I visited the place, and I have to say, I still find it incredible and just inspirational, especially for landscape photography. I did see some pumas and condors/eagles/foxes etc. (a lot more than I used to) so I guess for wildlife it's equally good place to go to.
The images you see below were taken at those 3 or 4 days (out of two weeks) I had a decent weather. The foliage image was taken in a light rain, which is great for foliage actually, and overcast sky. I decided to explore little bit more and check some places I don't normally take my group to. I also did only one hike, as oppose to two I always plan to, because of the weather, which obviously I can't control.
Here are the descriptions of each shot....
1. I took this shot of Cerro Torre (kind of hiding in the clouds) after an easy 14 miles hike (round trip). I arrived to this place and was welcomed/greeted with the most incredible show of light I've seen at this location. The sky was just glowing, and the smooth, practically waveless surface of the lake mirrored a stunning reflection. Everyone forgot about the hiking distance after getting this shot
2. Again, I took this shot at the end of April. This is kind of late for foliage as normally peak colors are beginning to mid April. Still, I was able to find many trees full of leaves and vivid colors. And, again, this was taken in a light rain.
3. A moment of breakage in the clouds and overcast sky. I was at the edge of a lake scouting new place and sky opened up for a while. I grab this shot as fast I could. It's a vertical panorama consisting of 5 horizontal images stitched in PS.
4. I shot this pano of Torres del Paine on the last day of my workshop. It started great, and everyone hoped for an awesome sunrise. But, after a few minutes of this "magenta" like glow, the sun completely disappeared, and hid behind thick clouds. So we had no sunrise in Chile, and this is the best there was.
5. This image comes from the same 14 mile hike I did to take the first shot. But, I shot it (zoomed in) from the trail way before I reached the lake you see on the first shot. I was just impressed with the clear view of Cerro Torre mountain.
All images were taken with Pentax K-1 and either Pentax 24-70mm f/2.8 or 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses, or Sigma 35mm f/1.4 for Pentax.
Any thought?
elkhornsun wrote:
Your first three images use common techniques but you did with flare - the good kind. When are you heading back?
Next year after Easter. But, next year Easter is on April first so I'll be going first weekend after that. And, I'm not going with any clients, meaning, I will go to take shots for myself and explore more unknown places. I simply can't do that with 12 people walking with me. So, I'm not going to be staying in a hotel much. Mostly I'll be camping and hiking from the campsite. An easy 2 or 3 miles hike will get me a crazy amazing shot. I already have bunch of locations eyeballed after my 5 trips. I might be taking a couple of friends with me but I'm not running workshop, teaching and be responsible for anyone next year. I just want take shots that I can print large, and the only way to achieve that is to camp near the best location (instead of hiking 7 or more miles from the hotel, and of course going back).
Another wonderful set by you. Sorry to hear the weather didn't cooperate much - but I think you certainly made the most of it. The two from Cerro Torre are great - but I really like the 2nd one - the combination of fall color and water is magic.
Another wonderful set by you. Sorry to hear the weather didn't cooperate much - but I think you certainly made the most of it. The two from Cerro Torre are great - but I really like the 2nd one - the combination of fall color and water is magic.
Todd
Thanks Todd. I had a hard time sharpening that shot (of foliage). Even now it looks a bit crunchy to me.... On my iPhone it looks good though. So are we going to Greenland or you gonna give me another excuse that family is more important?
A great series Gregg. I am a big fan of #2 and #3 in particular.
I heard from some others there around the same time as you that the weather was foul - such a shame I've been twice (but not this year) and tempted to go back again next year with a similar plan to you - set up camp near the locations and be there when the light is good.
Aztatlan wrote:
A great series Gregg. I am a big fan of #2 and #3 in particular.
I heard from some others there around the same time as you that the weather was foul - such a shame I've been twice (but not this year) and tempted to go back again next year with a similar plan to you - set up camp near the locations and be there when the light is good.
Great! Maybe we run into each other there next year.
Nice set Gregg. Love the morning colors at Laguna Torre - a pity that Cerro Torre was hidden. My favs are #5 followed by #2. I do wish the center red tree in #2 was not chopped off at the top. Dave
Gregg B. wrote:
Next year after Easter. But, next year Easter is on April first so I'll be going first weekend after that. And, I'm not going with any clients, meaning, I will go to take shots for myself and explore more unknown places. I simply can't do that with 12 people walking with me. So, I'm not going to be staying in a hotel much. Mostly I'll be camping and hiking from the campsite. An easy 2 or 3 miles hike will get me a crazy amazing shot. I already have bunch of locations eyeballed after my 5 trips. I might be taking a couple of friends with me but I'm not running workshop, teaching and be responsible for anyone next year. I just want take shots that I can print large, and the only way to achieve that is to camp near the best location (instead of hiking 7 or more miles from the hotel, and of course going back). ...Show more →
I have only gone on two guided trips and one with 7 other participants and the last one with 2 other participants. The 3 people with a guide works much better. But with both trips there was someone who came though they were very sick and very contagious and they gave me their bug so I was miserable during the week.
Few people get trip insurance so they invariably will go even when they should stay at home. I decided group trips are not for my wife and I. Cost difference for us to hire a local guide with a car is negligible in the overall scheme of things.
dbehrens wrote:
Nice set Gregg. Love the morning colors at Laguna Torre - a pity that Cerro Torre was hidden. My favs are #5 followed by #2. I do wish the center red tree in #2 was not chopped off at the top. Dave
Thanks Dave. You're right, I do have another version of this shot with the red tree NOT cut off. I'll use that one for all my prints
I've been twice (but not this year) and tempted to go back again next year with a similar plan to you - set up camp near the locations and be there when the light is good.